10 Simple Self-Care Routines for Busy Single Moms
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Being a single mom is a full-time job with very little "me time" left at the end of the day. It’s easy to overlook self-care when every day feels like a race against the clock. But integrating self-care into your daily routine, even in small ways, can make all the difference in your mental and emotional well-being. Here are ten quick and simple self-care practices that can help you feel more grounded, balanced, and confident.
1. Start Your Day with Morning Goodness
Begin each morning by doing something that helps you connect to your power. Affirmations are cool if you're into those. Spend a few minutes repeating positive statements like, "I am capable," "I am worthy of love," or "I am doing the best I can."
What I do is put on some booty-shaking music and shake what little booty my mama gave me. Affirmations work for a lot of people, but I find that they're not my jam. Maybe it's the 'tism. The point is, to find something that works for you that you can do the moment your feet hit the ground!
This mindset shift can help you approach the day with renewed confidence.
2. Practice a 5-Minute Mindfulness Session
Try a quick mindfulness exercise. Find a quiet spot, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing for just five minutes. Alternatively, you can also practice mindful eating, mindful walking, etc. That way you're still doing the things you need to do throughout the day and just spending that time slightly differently in a way that helps elevate you. Mindfulness can reduce stress and create a sense of calm, making you feel more present for yourself and your children.
3. Write in a Gratitude Journal
Set aside a few minutes at the beginning or end of each day to jot down things you’re grateful for. Whether it’s a warm cup of coffee or a small win at work, listing what you’re thankful for can improve your mood and keep you focused on the positive aspects of your life. Sometimes, my gratitude is that I didn't die. Yup, it be like that sometimes. Pro tip: make sure you're not just doing this as a task. Take the time to feel the gratitude in your body. Practicing that will make it start to happen more often for you automatically. Now something wild happens and I'll feel the initial feeling of shock or anger or frustration, but then I move into gratitude automatically. For example, sometimes my hyperactive 5yo overstimulates my autistic senses with all this noise--incessant noise of all different kinds for HOURS. And even if I ask him to stop, he'll stop one noise and then start absentmindedly doing another thing that makes noise. The same way I need silence to regulate, he needs noise. So I'll get so frustrated and irritable. But I also feel a sense of gratitude like "I'm so grateful I have a son, I'm so grateful I know what I know about myself and my son so that I can help both of us find a way to regulate our opposite systems." But if I never started practicing gratitude, I probably would have stayed stuck in the frustration and irritability.
4. Plan a “Me Moment” Each Day
Find a five-to-ten-minute window to do something you love. This can be as simple as enjoying your favorite snack, sipping tea in peace, or listening to a short podcast episode. These little breaks can act as small recharges throughout your day. It's important to do this to remind yourself that YOU matter. When you're so busy putting everyone else's needs before your own, your entire system starts to learn that you don't matter to yourself, because, well, that's how you're moving. But if you move differently, by engaging in self-care regularly, you'll start to show yourself that you matter and deserve to be cared for too.
5. Set Intentions with a Vision Board
Spend a few minutes each week setting small goals or visualizing your dreams. A vision board is a powerful way to remind yourself of where you’re heading. It’s also a beautiful way to celebrate your aspirations, even in the busiest of times.
6. Incorporate Movement in Your Day
You don’t need a gym membership to feel the benefits of movement. Simple stretches, a quick walk around the block, or a five-minute dance session with your kids can lift your mood and boost your energy levels. If you've been reading this far, you know I love a good dance sesh. It's something that just creates a lot of freedom in the body in a way that's not boring (if you're like me and find all other exercise so boring it's impossible to start or enjoy).
7. Create a Bedtime Routine That Feels Like a Treat
Treat yourself to a small bedtime ritual. Think of lighting a candle, reading a few pages of a book, or doing a simple skincare routine. These small acts of care signal to your mind and body that it’s time to rest and recharge.
Need help building a bedtime routine that boosts your self-worth? The Single Mom Self-Care Checklist is designed just for single moms, and includes a bedtime routine section, helping you end each day on a positive note.
8. Limit Social Media Time
Set boundaries with your phone by designating certain times for social media or taking breaks from it entirely. Reducing screen time can give you more moments to connect with yourself and be fully present. Plus there are great things on socials, yes, but there are also some really messed up takes on single moms on there. So a social media limit is advised, especially if you're in the earlier stages of single motherhood. It's definitely not easy though, so have a lot of grace with yourself on this one.
9. Prioritize Small Wins
Take a moment to celebrate your daily accomplishments, no matter how small. Did you make it through the day? That’s a win! These small acknowledgments can uplift your mood and remind you of all the progress you’re making. In fact, I'd argue that celebrating the small stuff is more important than celebrating the big stuff. Most of the big stuff is a series of small things anyway!
10. Connect with Other Single Moms
Schedule a short catch-up call with a friend or join a supportive online community of single moms. Knowing you’re not alone can make the journey easier, and you’ll have a space to share experiences, tips, and support. I'd love to have you join my community, The Single Mom Sanctuary, where I send you tips and tricks in the form of love notes every single day, as well as Q&A and other exclusive goodness that I only offer to my membership besties.
Building self-care routines doesn’t mean you have to spend hours or thousands on yourself (although, you can if you want!). With these simple ideas, you can create intentional moments of self-love and care, giving you the resilience you need to thrive as a single mom.
For more guidance on building meaningful self-care habits, subscribe my Self-Worth Kickstart Series (a taste of the love notes) and start setting intentions that prioritize you. Remember, every small act of self-care adds up—because you deserve it.